Hot Fun In The Summertime

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Since summer is officially only a week away, I thought I'd get a jump start on my summertime post.

Several years ago when I flew back to Florida to visit my family, my whole perception of summer changed. As you know, summer has never really been my favorite season (and it's still not), because I can't stand being overly-hot. Yet somehow by going back to Florida for two weeks, I started to see the enjoyment in what the season brings. For those of you who may not know, I used to LOVE the sun and heat. But right after I turned 45, I went through male menopause (MAN-O-PAUSE), in which extreme heat became physically painful for me to endure. And I still don't like it. However, I've learned to adapt to summer (and the heat) by changing my outlook and embracing it for 2 1/2 months. Because really, there is not much else I can do about it except complain, but that only makes it worse.

So yes, I'm getting into summer. I've even started to get a TAN.

It's funny though because I was born here in the northeast, where summertime was such a BIG deal growing up. However, after living in Florida for 20 years, the weather is pretty much the same all-year round, so it's not really a big deal when summer arrives there. In fact, most Floridians can't stand summer because the heat and humidity is SO intense. Yet being back north again, I've slowly returned to my seasonal roots; enjoying certain things about summer.

Today, I would like to share some of my favorite childhood memories.

There were several ways in which we would cool off on a hot summer day.

Slip'n Slide

This ad is from 1961, so you can see why it says, NEW AMAZING INVENTION. Isn't that hilarious? But back then, it was an amazing invention! My family had one of these and boy, was it ever FUN. Wheeeeeeeeee!

Running through water sprinklers.

My family also had each one of these pools when I was a kid.

However, one of our neighbors had one of these in their backyard and we were all so envious because it seemed like a REAL pool.

*Check out at the various prices. Back then, $119.95 was a lot of money for a pool.

Badminton

Summertime meant playing badminton in the backyard. Whenever my family would throw a picnic, we would whip out the badminton set. Fun, fun, fun! I actually prefer badminton over tennis.

Oh, and speaking of picnics, here were (and still are) some of my favorite picnic foods...

Grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, corn on the cob (with butter and a little salt), Sealtest ice cream, and watermelon. I can eat watermelon 24 hours a day in the summer.

And let's not forget a nice cold Coca-Cola from a glass bottle!

Another thing my family would do during the summer was play miniature golf.

My father was a huge golfer, so he and my mother enjoyed taking us to a miniature golf course during the summer months. And whenever we would go to the Jersey shore (Wildwood Crest) for a week's vacation in July, we would play miniature golf on Hunt's Pier. I'm not a golfer, but I do like miniature golf because I enjoy the "putting" aspect of golf.

Summertime Music

Whenever I hear certain songs, I am immediately transported back to my childhood. Even now, whenever I hear them, I get that fond summertime feeling. Isn't it something how music holds such strong memories?

I leave you with a song from Sly and the Family Stone - Hot Fun in the Summertime...

Have a GREAT Monday, y'all!

X

P.S. And because of the season, I changed the color scheme of my blog to be a bit brighter and more summer-like.

38 comments

I really like the new summery blog and I am so pleased you have decided to enjoy the summer months. I enjoyed listening to Hot Fun in the Summertime. Real foot tapping stuff. For some reason the oldie 'In The Summertime' just came to mind. Mungo Jerry, I think it was.

I like summer, at least I do when it doesn't get too hot, but I am more comfortable in spring or autumn months.

I am quite jealous of all the leisure activities available to you as a youngster. All I can remember is air raids and diving for cover in the shelters. I was working at 14 so it seems I didn't do much in the way of recreation. It was okay, though ... I think!!! My main leisure activity as a teenager was ice skating at an indoor rink.

Ron, being an ex-northeasterner who now lives in Florida, I know what you mean about summer not being a big deal. I prefer October through January when we get a break from the heat. I do miss the seasons. It is so hot here right now. Loved the pictures of your summertime memories! When I was a kid, we had one of those pools too. When I first moved to Florida I was amazed by how so many families have built-in pools in their backyards. The apartment complex I live in has a pool and recreational area.

" I actually like summer more now than when I was a kid. I remember being bored in the summer and missing my school friends. I was one of those weirdos that loved school!"

OMG, and I was just the opposite. I think it's awesome that you loved school that much. I couldn't wait for summer so that I would have two months off. I was such a terrible student. I'm surprised I even got through school.

"After I had kids, I started loving summer because we were no longer trapped indoors. Also, as an adult, I hated driving in the snow and shoveling. Now, I just crave warm weather."

And I can totally understand that. Having to drive in snow and shovel it is the pits.

"My favorite memories as a kid were picnics, backyard kickball games, riding bikes and the Bookmobile. I still love corn on the cob and fresh berries, too."

What GREAT memories! And speaking of riding bikes, I remember getting my first Schwinn bicycle (in black) and riding it through the neighborhood streets in the summer!

Ron, most all of your summertime memories hold the same fondness for me. The Slip'n Slide ad is hysterical, "people scoot like seals" Lol. And the ad for the swimming pool looks likes the perfect American family, something off The Donna Reed Show! My son laughs at me when I tell him about how we would run through the water sprinklers when I was a kid because it was the only way we could cool down. My family didn't have a pool so we made due with what we had.

Miniature golf was so much fun, wasn't it? My family never went to the Jersey shore in the summer, we went to Coney Island because we lived in Brooklyn.

I don't like the summer heat either. And it's been so hot lately, hasn't it?

"And the ad for the swimming pool looks likes the perfect American family, something off The Donna Reed Show!"

HAHHAHA! Yes, it does look the perfect American family, off The Donna Reed Show! Also, like a Norman Rockwell painting!

" My son laughs at me when I tell him about how we would run through the water sprinklers when I was a kid because it was the only way we could cool down. My family didn't have a pool so we made due with what we had."

That's right, we had to make due with what we had. There were also times when the fire department would open up the fire hydrants during the summer months, so that the kids could run through them in the streets. That was FUN!

"My family never went to the Jersey shore in the summer, we went to Coney Island because we lived in Brooklyn."

Can you believe that I have never been to Coney Island? Shame on me.

"I don't like the summer heat either. And it's been so hot lately, hasn't it?"

OMG, the last few days have been horrendously hot. But, I'm not going to complain about it - HA!

Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific week and stay cool!

Isn't it great how sensory we humans are, Ron? Certain scents, certain music, certain foods all transport us back to a less complicated time and remind us of our youth!

I love your memories (and share many of them!). Of course, I practically LIVED on a tennis court when I was younger, but Domer's dad used to regale me with his childhood spent along the Boardwalk, and it sounded fabulous -- salt water taffy, etc.

Yep, your summertime blue blog design is lovely -- very easy on the eye! And you've made me sooooo thirsty for a watermelon the sudden!!

Ron, I've always said that I was born in the wrong era because there are so many things about the 50's, 60's and 70's that I feel very connected to - the music, the style, and how things were simplier but at the same time, more imaginative. I think I must be an old soul LOl! That ad for the Slip'n Slide is so cool! I like how it even gives directions on how to slide.

The only time I ever played miniature golf was when I went to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. What a blast! "I'm not a golfer, but I do like miniature golf because I enjoy the "putting" aspect of golf." Interesting. And that's probably because it takes more detailed precision.

I just recently bought a watermelon at Whole Foods and it was so deliciously sweet!

Ahh...such memories! Coke HAS to come from a bottle. It's the only way I'll drink it. (Well, I don't drink any soda now, but you get what I'm saying). The newest trend, btw, is giant slip 'n slide events downtown. I've seen them pop up in several cities, including Portland. I think that would be a lot of fun!

We have always shared the same outlook on summer, and like you, I have also come to - well, not enjoy it, but appreciate certain aspects. For me, it's all about the great fruits and vegetables, and the early morning light makes waking up at 4:30 to walk around the neighborhood tolerable. Plus, I'm not drowning in a monsoon while doing so, which is always a plus.

Summer is just filled with simple fun and goodness! Though I'm sometimes done with the heat and humidity I love the energy I have. Seems in the winter I'm ready for bed as soon as the sun goes down, and in the summer I stay up really late unless I'm exhausted! I guess I just feel happier and ready to go, go go during the summer months.

Ron, first of all, I really like your new color scheme! I don't know what you call this color (teal, aqua marine, turquoise?), but whatever it is it's a perfect choice for summertime! I like how you change your blog because it keeps it fresh.

I loved this post! As I think you already know, I really like summer. I don't mind the heat at all. I like all the seasons except for winter. I've often taught of moving to South Florida because I like topical weather and all that comes with it.

What a great memoir of your childhood. I can tell you had wonderful parents who really took an interest in their children. My parents are the same way.

The pictures of the picnic food made my mouth water. That hamburger and corn on the cob looks delicious! I like watermelon too, also cantaloupe and strawberries.

"Isn't it something how music holds such strong memories?" Yes it is. I think it's one of the most powerful memory triggers.

Glad to hear you're embracing summer and enjoying it. It's such a short season that I try to savoir every minute of it.

"Isn't it great how sensory we humans are, Ron? Certain scents, certain music, certain foods all transport us back to a less complicated time and remind us of our youth!"

Yes, it is, Debbie! I'm especially like that with scents and music. I can smell something (like a perfume or food) or hear a song, and I'm instantly transported to that time!

"-- salt water taffy, etc."

OMG, I cannot believe you mentioned salt water taffy because I totally forgot to add that to one of my favorite summertime eats! Thanks for reminding me because I loved salt water taffy from the boardwalk!

Thank you :) Glad to hear the new blue blog design is easy on the eyes. I love this new template because I can change things around using the Blogger template design feature on my dashboard. This is actually the first template I have ever purchased. And I'm so glad I did.

Don't you just LOVE watermelon?

Happy new week to you, my friend. And thanks a bunch for stopping by!X

Thank you :) Glad you like the new color scheme. I'm not exactly sure what the color is but I think it's teal - a blue/green. I once owned a car that was teal and loved it!

"I've often taught of moving to South Florida because I like topical weather and all that comes with it."

If you like tropical weather, I really think you would love living in South Florida. I really enjoyed living there for the time I spent and have very fond memories. However, I just couldn't take the constant heat and humidity any longer.

Yes, I'm very blessed to have had the parents I did. They made my childhood very special.

"I like watermelon too, also cantaloupe and strawberries."

It's funny you mentioned strawberries because I bought some yesterday and they were so sweet and delicious! I like adding them to my morning cereal.

Oh, you & I are from the same era Ron! I was not lucky enough to have a Slip & Slide, but did plenty of sprinkler running! One of my neighbors had one of those above ground pools. It wasn't very deep & I remember swimming around the whole circumference with my head only popping up to breathe! It was during one of those pop-ups when I put my front tooth through my bottom lip, creating a tiny scar I have carried for the rest of my life!

"Oh, you & I are from the same era Ron! I was not lucky enough to have a Slip & Slide, but did plenty of sprinkler running!"

Yup, we sure are. We were 1955 babies!

" I remember swimming around the whole circumference with my head only popping up to breathe! It was during one of those pop-ups when I put my front tooth through my bottom lip, creating a tiny scar I have carried for the rest of my life!"

YAWZA! And I bet that hurt. Reminds me of a time when my younger brother slipped and fell off a pool sliding board ladder while we on vacation in Wildwood, New Jersey. And it's amazing that he didn't have a serious head injury because fell from the top.

Thanks so much for stopping by and catching up on my posts, my friend. You're a sweetheart!

This post takes me back! I loved those things - the slip and slide, badminton, picnic foods! Of course, I'm a huge fan of summer. It's mid-90's all this week and I don't even mind that (as long as I'm not in the full sun). I've been eating on the deck every evening when it is still quite warm but shady, and getting some use out of the grill. I love it!!

Ron, what sweet and fun summertime post! Many of your memories are mine as well - running through a sprinkler, miniature golf and picnic food! I also have memories of sitting in the sun with my skin slathered in baby oil mixed with iodine. I can still remember what it smelled like!

I'm not much of a sun worshiper anymore. And I'm with you, I don't do well in excessive heat. I'm much more of an autumn and spring person. Although, I do enjoy the first snowfall of winter.

Oh what a fun, nostalgic post Ron! I remember many of the things you've brought up here that spelled SUMMER for me too, as a kid and a teenager, especially the music and the pools and the picnics. Such sweet memories you've conjured up. Yummm....is there anything better than fresh corn on the cob, dripping with butter and a dash of salt??? Can't think of anything better.

I also remember going to camp, camping out in the backyard tent, going to the provincial parks with my family and pals and spending the days lolling around on the beach, working on the perfect tan, slathered in baby oil (Johnson's of course). Some wicked sun burns too but we bounced back fast in those days!!! LOL

Thanks for this happy start to my day. Mr. Cheddar is sitting on my lap and sends his best headbonks your way. Have a great Wednesday and weekend, G

Slip n Slide!!!! I can't tell you HOW many of those I have purchased for my kids! When they are small they don't "slide"... not enough weight... so we would come up with all kinds of ways including a rope.....! I tried it as an adult and realized why they are for kids. That ground is HARD.... !!!!!!!!

I loved this post. I remember sealtest icecream. And the vanilla ice cream cups were good too. I think the good humor truck came to the pool we went to in Vienna VA. They had an icecream bar that had a huge hunk of chocolate in the middle, frozen. It was CRAZY good.

And putt putt! We did that last year and got YELLED AT. a guy was redoing one hole. He moved aside and said, "Go ahead!" I was like, "Ummmm no really we don't have to... it's ok!" He insisted. So we are putting on it and three people started SCREAMING at us from the main area... employees... like SCREAMING... "THAT HOLE IS CLOSED! GET OUT!" I screamed back and pointed, "THAT GUY SAID WE COULD GO ON ITTTTTT!" Only us!

Awesome, awesome memories and photos. I remember every one of these growing up in land-locked Missouri! And, oddly, we have a 10' X 3' play pool on our patio! Just big enough to sit in and hold a glass of wine! it's for the grandbabykins, of course. ;-)

"I tried it as an adult and realized why they are for kids. That ground is HARD.... !!!!!!!!"

HAHAHAHAHA! Yes, you are so right about that! Even as a kid, I remember sliding over a part that had a ROCK under it and OUCH!

I think the good humor truck came to the pool we went to in Vienna VA."

OMG, we had a good humor truck too that rode through our neighborhood and would ring a bell so that we knew it was there. My favorite were the ice cream sandwiches!

"and three people started SCREAMING at us from the main area... employees... like SCREAMING... "THAT HOLE IS CLOSED! GET OUT!" I screamed back and pointed, "THAT GUY SAID WE COULD GO ON ITTTTTT!" Only us!"

That sounds EXACTLY like something that would happen to me too!!! And I'm glad to hear you yelled back!

Since you and I are about the same age, this post REALLY spoke to me! There was not one thing that you mentioned that we didn't do as kids! LOVED all of those things...the sprinklers, the badminton, the miniature golf (I hate regular golf!) Even the picnic shots reminded me so much of family picnics as kids! You are such an AWESOME writer, Ron, you just transported me back to my childhood and I thank you so very much...good times, my friend!! GREAT times!! I think today's kids have kind of lost out on that whole aspect of childhood...it is different these days. Kinda sad...ya know? Happy Friday! LOVE the summer colors over here!! xo Jeanne and the girls

"I think today's kids have kind of lost out on that whole aspect of childhood...it is different these days. Kinda sad...ya know?"

Yes, I think the same thing too. A lot of childhood now is "technology" (computers, iPads, etc.), which in one way I think is awesome that kids these days know how to use them at such an early age. However, there was a simplicity to childhood when we were kids (more face-to-face) interaction and use of imagination.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet words, my friend. Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

I've always liked Sly and the Family Stone! Great choice. Ah, the memories of SUMMER! We had that first little pool, but years later got a better one, even bigger than the one in the photo! Two of my neighbor friends had big pools, (One even had a deck on each side!) and another belonged to a local club so we were always swimming.Never really got into miniature golf, I don't think we ever went as kids, although we took our kids a few times. Happy Summer, Ron!